LONDON - A high-profile international panel says rising global food prices threaten to destroy years of economic progress in Africa and drive 100 million people into poverty.
The Africa Progress Panel also says wealthy countries are likely to fail in their promise to deliver billions more in aid to the continent by 2010.
Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who chairs the panel, says Africa has made substantial progress in recent years.
But he says that with 100 million people on the brink of abject poverty, the soaring price of wheat and rice will be measured `in the rising number of infant and child deaths across Africa.'
The panel was formed last year to focus world leaders' attention on the continent and monitor progress toward meeting ambitious aid commitments. Its 11 members include former British prime minister Tony Blair and anti-poverty activist Bob Geldof.
In its annual report, the panel called on leaders of the Group of Eight industrial countries to `urgently fund shortfalls against their targets to double assistance to Africa by 2010.'
